Multisocket switch



RL D. SMITH.

MULTISOCKET SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED ocT. 27, |916.

Patented Sept. 21, 1920.

STAT T11,

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RAYMOND D. SMITH, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO TREMONT PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS.

MULTISOCKET SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 21, 1920.

Application led 0ctober^27, 1916. Serial No. 128,131.

To aZ ce hom it may cof/wem Be it known that I', RAYMOND D. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Multisocket Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric sockets with switch mechanisms contained therein,

and has for its broadlobject to incorporate in the socket structure in novel an l advantageous form a plurality of receptacles for receiving the bases of incandescent lamps or other electrical plug devices, together with a single switch mechanism, the latter being adapted, through the agency ofi a common control instrumentality, broadly, by successive movements to vary the circuit connections to said receptacles; and, specifically, but not exclusively, to throw sugli receptacles into and out of circuit at the will of the operator g-the socket having preferably the usual unitary or single`mounting and circuit connection to supply.

More particularly the objects of my invention are to provide a plural socket switch in which, preferably, the well established and4 generally standardized features of modern, single-socket switch design, b'oth in size and proportion of the main structural parts and in provision for the assemblage thereof, are in their essentials preserved ;-to provide for the mounting of a main and auxiliary lamp receptacle on the inner body portion in substantial and durable electrical relation to the switch mechanism, ,which ltter, as usual, is supported on a common insulating block with the said main receptacle; and specifically, for maintenance of the greatly desirable compactness of such structures, to arrange said auxiliary lamp receptacle to be contained entirely within the main cylindrical confines of the usual casing-shell so that the latter may closely and telescopically assemble with the inner body portion and hold the latter, if desired, through telescopic engagement with an inclosing metallic cap or otherwise, as customary,-thi`s arrangement, among other advantages, necessitating no weakening cut-away from the engaging edges of the casing-shell or cap, which otherwise would benecess'ary to' prevent interference with the auxiliary receptacle, in assembling. Y i

Other objects of my invention are, in detall, to position the receptacle for the miniature lamp base so that, when the latter is mounted therein, the lamp bulb shall occupy an advantageous and unobtrusive position relatlve to any switch-operating extensions or shade holder fittings, and, as above stated so that .assemblage of a two-piece, telescoping casing 1n the usual way may not be interfered with; and further so to larrange the clrcuit connections that, when the pilot lamp 1s not in place, the socket switch may operate in the usual manner to alternately llght and extinguish the main lamp. l

For the sake of simplicity, I have selected,

as one illustrative embodiment of my invention, the mechanism of a key socket of well known construction and a pilot lamp receptacle of the ordinary, miniature, threaded type with suitable electrical connections therebetween, as will appear from the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification.

ln the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of my novelly combined pilot lamp and socket switch mechanism taken partly in section on the horizontal plane 1-1 in Fig. 4; Fig. 2 is an elevation looking at the left of Fig. l with the casing shown in section; Fig. 3 shows a detail of preferred construction when a canopy shade holder is used with mynovel pilot light socket; Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the socket with casing and pilot lamp removed; Fig. 5 is a diagram of electrical connections; Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 2 showing a different operative position of parts.

Similar reference numerals designate the .same parts in different views of the draw.- ings.

In Figs. 1 and 2, the insulating body or block appears at 10, carrying attached thereto the usual key switch parts, comprising a bearing bracket 11 with a terminal bindingpost screw 12, the key shaft 13 with its insulated actuating handle 14, and the contact-making snap cam 15 on which contact spring 16 constantly bears. The usual screwshell-receptacle -9 for the base ofA an ordinary .incandescent lamp 19 is, fastened `to 10, and as Shown in Fig. 6, is connected into circuit by one position of the snap cani 15, being electrically dead when the cam occupies its position shown in Fig. 2. An insulated binding-post bracket for the other side of the circuit is lshown at 17, having an extension 18 for making electrical contact with the center base terminal of the main lamp,- all of this construction being old and well known in the art.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 4, a miniature, screwshell receptacle 20 is shown embedded in the insulating block 10 and is adapted to receive the base of a miniature lamp bulb 21. Electrical connection from the receptacle 20 t0 the binding-post bracket 17 is had by means of the lead Wire 22. A double-armed contact piece 23 is shown secured to the insulating block 10 by a screw 24. One arm 25 of this piece extends so as to be contacted by the snap cam 15 in the position of the latter shown in Fig. 2, and the other arm 26 is positioned to come in -contact with the center base terminal of the miniature lamp.

In Fig. 5, these connections are plainly in.

dicated, various points in the circuit bearing the same reference character as the corresponding structural parts.

It will be clear from the drawings and above explanation that when the snap cam occupies the position as in'Fig. 2, the pilot lamp will be lighted and the main lamp eX- tinguished, and that when the snap cam is rotated to a position as in Fig. 6, the main lamp will be lighted and the pilot lamp extinguished. It will also be evident, that an insulating plug may be inserted in the receptacle 20 in place of the pilot lamp 21 in which case the vposition of the switch as in Fig. 2 will have no effect except to extinguish the main lamp as usual.

This same eect may be had Without removin the pilot lamp from its socket by providing simple switch means in the pilot lamp circuit whereby such lamp may be electrically cut out independent of the main switch control. Operating means for such auxiliary switch might have any form convenient for the operator, such as a hanging cha-ig, or a push or turn button suitably locate I preferably form the contact arm 25 ofcomparatively light and resilient metal so that it shall not act to dampen the quick and positive action, of the snap cam 15 in breaking the circuit through the main lamp.

In Fig. 3, I have indicateda. portion of a canopy shade holder 30, such as is sometimes used with electric sockets for decorative purposes. Here I may insert, in a suitably formed opening in the wallof the shade holder, a convex lens or window 31, preferably of ground or colored glass, through which the ilot lamp may emit light and by which. t e'said lamp may be protected against accidental breakage. Such housing arrangement for the pilot lamp combines added compact-ness with an -attractive outward appearance and greater freedom from fragility. Or, if desired, I may suspend the 7i pilot light to any convenient position by the use of a pendent connection which shall have a plug terminal adapted to be received by the receptacle 20. It should be noted that the pilot lamp receptacle is so embedded that the usual assemblage of the split casing arrangement is in no way interfered with and so that no slots or other unusual openings in said casing beyond that required for the insertion of the pilot lamp or plug terminal above referred to, are necessary. This is a particularly advantageous feature of the`novel construction herein disclosed for thereby, if desired, the receptacle 20 may be closed by inserting a blank insulating plug and the socket to all outward appearances and operative effects will then be an ordinary socket, but available for double lamp service at any time.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that I may introduce an additional stage of movement for the snap cam 15, in which position both main' and pilot lamps may be out of circuit, or I may substitute for the pilot lamp a resistance unit in series with the main lamp for causing the dimming thereof.

It is immaterial to the spirit of my invention what type of socket structure is employed either as to the switch mechanism, 100 the controlling agencies therefor, or as to the outward form and provision therein for mechanical and electrical connection to the means of support. Without limiting my invent/ion', therefore, to the precise switch 105 mechanisms, or forms of sockets, herein described and illustrated, what I claim as new is z- 1. A socket switch embodying, in combination; an insulating switch-supporting 110 body; means for inclosing and holding said body including a closely surrounding cylin` drical casing adapted for telescopic assein` blage -with said body; a main lamp recepporting body; means for inclosing and holding said body including a closely surround ing cylindrical casing adapted for telescopic 11:Jv

assemblage with said body; a main lamp receptacle depending from the insulating bodyI concentrically with said cylindrical casing; an auxiliary plug receptacle carried by said body and disposed laterally of the socket vswitch structure and confined within the space inclosed by the cylindrical walls of said casing tf' permit said telescopic assemblage pf the i Lterr; andswitch mechanism lncludmg a co.' luctive current distributer adapted in difiere Vt positions to engage with respectively different stationary'contacts for .supplying current 1tofeachv of said recepnism mounted on said insulating body including electrical connections to each of said receptacles for governing the supply of current thereto, the said cylindrical casing having an opening in its wall positioned to register with and expose the mouth of said auxiliary plug receptacle lwhen in place.

4. A socket switch, embodying in combination; a switch mechanism having an insulating and support body of substantially cylindrical form; a main switch-governed lamp receptacle secured to and depending co-axially from the bottom of said body;

an auxiliary plug receptacle carried by andy disposed laterally of said body within the circumferential limits of its said cylindrical form; and a two-piece covering and protecting shell comprising circular interlocking cap and body portions,the latter being adapted for close telescopic assemblage with said insulating body and having an end opening and a lateral opening positioned to register with, and expose, the mouths of said main and said auxiliary receptacle respectively when in place.

5. A socket switch structure embodying, in combination; an insulating switch-supporting body; means for inclosing and holding said body including a closely surrounding cylindrical-casin adapted for telescopic assemblage. with sai body; a main lamp re'- ceptacle depending from the insulating body concentrically with said cylindrical casing; an auxiliary plug 'receptacle embedded in the side of said insulating body opening laterally of the socket switch structure and confined within the space inclosed by the cylindrical walls of said casing to permit said telescopic assemblage of the latter; and switch. mechanism mounted on said insulating body including electrical connections to each of said receptacles for governing the supplly ofcurrent thereto.

6. socket-switch structure embodying, in combination; an insulating block recessed to form a switch chamber with a portion of said block laterally adjacent said chamber; means for inclosing and supporting said block including a cylindrical casing shell closely surrounding and adapted for telescopic assemblage with same; a main lamp receptacle depending from said block concentrically with said casing; an vauxiliary plug receptacle embedded in the portion of said insulating block adjacent said switch chamber, the inner end of said auxiliary receptacle opening into the said switch chamber and lthe outer plug-receiving endfalling. interior the main cylindrical walls of said casing shell to permit lsaid telescopic assemblage thereof; and switch mechanism mounted in the said recessed portion of the insulating block with electrical `connections to each of said receptacles for governing the supply of current thereto.

. A socket-switch structure embodying in combination4 an insulating block recessedl to form a switch chamber with a portion of said blockl laterally adjacent said chamber; means for inclosing and supporting said block including a cylindrical casing shell closely/surrounding and adapted for telescopic assemblage with same; a main lamp receptacle depending from said block concentrically with said casing; an auxiliary plug receptacle embedded in the portion of said insulating block adjacent said switch chamber, the inner end of said auxiliary receptacle opening into vthe said switch chamber and the outer plug-receiving end falling interior the cylindrical walls ofsaid casing shell to permit said telescopic assemblage thereof; and switch mechanism mounted inv the said recessed portion of the insulating block, and including a conductive current distributer adapted in diderent positions to ceptacle opening into the said switch chamber and the outer plug-receiving end falling interior the cylindrical Walls of said casing shell to permit said telescopic assemblage thereof; and switch mechanism mounted in the said recessed portion of the insulating block, and including a conductive current distributer adapted in one position to engage With said main receptacle for delivering current thereto; together With a Xed contact piece arranged With a portion thereof positioned to be contacted by the auxiliary receptacle plug and also to be contacted by RAYMOND D, SMTH.

Witnesses:

JAMES D. GORDON, E. LILLIAN MCFADDEN. 

